2 Questions for Sun Conure Owners

[Gold01]

At what age did your Female Sun Conure lay their first egg, if ever?

At what age did your Sun Conure (M or F) unfortunately, pass away?

Thank you.

 

[MonicaMc]

I don't have a sun conure, but I can at least partially answer one question.

Female conures may not start egg laying until in their teens or twenties - perhaps even never. Not laying an egg is not an indication that the bird is a male, since not all females will lay eggs.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I had a cockatiel for 20 years who didn't start laying eggs til she was about 12 and then stopped for quite a few years and then started up again and wouldn't stop. I do know that ALL parrots do not lay eggs until AFTER sexual maturity (obviously) and a sun conure doesn't reach sexual maturity til they are around 2 years old (at least). Some may take longer.

Like Monica said, not all females will lay eggs. It really depends a lot on the environment and circumstances as well as the individual bird.

As for lifespan, that's a trickier question. The BIGGEST factors in how long a sun conure lives have to do with 3 things- 1)DNA, 2) Diet and 3) Exercise (in that order). Suns can live anywhere from birth to their upper 20s. It is not unheard of for a sun conure to live into their 30s, but the above factors would definitely decide that. But the average age is 15-20 years but given how common rehoming suns are, I question the accuracy of lifespan. I think a more accurate average lifespan is 10-15 years BUT I believe rehoming and owner neglect play the biggest part in that. They do have the potential to live into their upper 20s, low 30s.

Skittles just turned 8 in March and is in perfect health (knock on wood). But he is fed an organic diet (harrisons) as well as fresh fruit and veggies and also pasta or pizza crust as a 'rare treat'. He is free-flighted and goes to the vet annually.

Suns ARE loud, there is no getting around that. BUT, not all suns are noisy. I used to think noisiness was one of those things we had little control over but have learned in my experience with Skittles that is not necessarily the case. Yes, some birds are noisier than others- its just who they are. BUT, its the excessive noise that IS within our control. I wish more parrot owners made a better effort to curb excess noise BEFORE rehoming. Skittles went from being the noisiest bird I ever owned to the quietest bird I ever owned and all of it happened as a result of re-training.

 

[PickleMeDickles]

I have two Suns that are housed together, but baby Suns are not my goal. My little girl laid her first egg at about 3-4 years. The egg was just not "right". There was no consistent shell and the shape was off. I rushed the egg to Magnolia Bird farm as I was concerned the bad egg meant something was wrong with my girl. I was given liquid calcium and have been putting the appropriate amount in their water bottle. I have not seen a second egg which is just fine with me.

Luckily all my babies are young so I haven't had to go through that heartbreak. I am 48 so I hope I at least live long enough for my birds so that my animals don't have to go through the drama of losing mom and their home. To make matters worse none of my family will agree to adopt the Suns. Pickles the GCC would probably start a war as to who gets her. The Suns are seen by others as loud egotistical brats who attack for no reason. To me they are the sweetest birds, have never even tried to bite me and are just a joy.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I don't ever want to own another female bird after what I went through with Peaches, my tiel.



Deal with excessive egg-laying is a a major problem. You have so many things you have to worry about and so many issues arise from it. Not to mention the 'stinky poops' that could wake the dead.